This Valentine’s Day, the pupils of Cannons Creek were asked to share what they appreciate most about their teachers, and the results were as sweet as they were affirming!
Cape Town, South Africa (17 February 2026) – Valentine’s Day is traditionally known as the day to express love, appreciation and affection for those close to our hearts. In school, the focus is always on the pupils and rightfully so!
This year, Cannons Creek Independent School decided to share that focus with its teachers and the love their pupils have for them.
Everyone likes a compliment, or at the very least affirmation – and so, why not spoil the teachers who spend several hours a day sharing their love? Every day, teachers share their love, not only sharing their subject knowledge, but also demonstrating care towards the pupils – whether it be a kind word or gesture, providing a safe space, assisting with improving their marks, or simply allowing them to just be themselves.
“Pupils across the school were tasked with sharing comments about what they appreciated about their teacher/s. Our pupils blew us away with their perceptive comments,” shares School Marketer, Deidre McCrindle.
Here are some examples of what some of the learners had to say:
“Like how she smiles, never frowns”, speaking of their isiXhosa teacher, Mrs Mbali.
“She asks for my opinion,” speaking of their PE Teacher, Ms Jenkins.
“She knows when you don’t feel like talking”, speaking about Primary School Pupil Counsellor, Mrs Spaans.
“She understands that we don’t always want to do sport and is very nice about it when she makes us do it anyways” speaking of Head of Sport, Ms Twani.
Some comments might come across as simplistic, but they show that children do value their teachers and what they learn. This is evident in the comments like:
“She teaches music, and music is fun”
“He teaches us computers, and we love computers”
“She teaches us stuff!”
These show that they appreciate the very purpose of the teacher, let alone the personal qualities or attributes of the teacher.
Sometimes the very things that adults deem non-negotiable are what the pupils take note of:
“He doesn’t shout the first time”
“He’s not rude”
“always remembers our names”
“She’s kind”
This exercise also demonstrated the motivational power the school’s teachers possess with comments such as:
“She’s inspired me to visit a Theatre to watch plays”
“She pushes us [to do] much more than I thought I could do”
“She encourages us to do our best and to believe in ourselves, which makes learning more enjoyable and motivating”
Cannons Creek Independent School’s mission states that it is a safe, Christian-based community school dedicated to nurturing curious, confident, and kind individuals, which was reflected in comments from pupils who expressed their appreciation for teachers who take them to the library, make them feel safe and loved and are always available to talk.
Of course, kids also do say the darndest things, which is why staff particularly enjoyed one honest comment:
“My mom says she gets to the point”!
The teachers were overjoyed to receive their words of affirmation placed in cute red hearts, easily making their day and making them feel appreciated.
“Getting my heart on Friday was truly heartwarming. It was so interesting to hear the children’s perceptions and to see how they view me through their eyes. The things they noticed and shared were incredibly sweet. I thought the idea was very cute and I appreciated the gesture,” shared Mrs Anneline Luke, Primary School Secretary.
Grade 4 teacher, Mrs Lisa Gopal, shared:
“It made me feel loved and special, seen and appreciated for all the little things that I do.”
With so much love and sweetness in the air, the School is challenging you this month of love to let people know why you appreciate them, since love surely does make the world go around!
Sources: Cannons Creek Independent School
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